Garmin Approach S62 golf watch review: Can GPS-powered features help you conquer the course?

The world of golf technology has shifted dramatically since Garmin first entered the GPS watch space. 

Founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao, Garmin initially made its mark in aviation and marine navigation before becoming the sports wearable giant we know and love today. 

Garmin Approach S62 Golf GPS Watch, £279.99 (was £329.99)

While they have been a staple on golfers’ wrists for over a decade, the release of the Garmin Approach S62 in early 2020 marked a significant leap forward in what we expect from a specialised sports watch.

In this review, I’ll explore how this device managed to bridge the gap between a high-end smartwatch and a professional-grade golf caddie. 

Despite being a few years into its cycle, this watch remains one of the most respected pieces of tech in the golf community. 

Its unique selling points – most notably the ‘Virtual Caddie’ – set a benchmark that many competitors are still trying to match.

The S62 wasn’t just an incremental update to the S60 – it was a total overhaul of the user experience. 

By integrating heart rate monitoring and advanced health metrics, Garmin moved the Approach series from a ‘bag-only’ accessory to a 24/7 lifestyle piece. 

For a golfer, this means your data doesn’t stop when you walk off the 18th green.

My expertise comes from hundreds of rounds spent using laser rangefinders. I have a decent idea of where a good GPS watch can save you strokes – and where it can let you down.

Whether you are a scratch golfer looking for wind data or a high-handicapper needing help with making the right decisions, this watch has the potential to be the most valuable tool in your bag.

Navigate this article

• Quick summary
• Full review
• The verdict
• FAQs

How I tested

To provide an authentic Garmin Approach S62 review, I wore the watch daily for a month.

This wasn’t just limited to the golf course – I used it as my primary smartwatch to test its notification handling, sleep tracking, and ‘Body Battery’ features. 

On the course, I tested it regularly at my local golf course – Grims Dyke in Harrow – which I already know like the back of my hand – and also at Chobham Golf Club in Surrey as a first-time visitor.

I also compared its GPS accuracy against my old laser range-finder.

Garmin Approach S62 Golf GPS Watch review: Quick summary

Garmin Approach S62 Golf GPS Watch, £279.99 (was £329.99)

Pros

• Virtual Caddie: Provides smart club suggestions based on your history and wind.
• Stellar Battery: Easily lasts 3+ rounds of golf on a single charge.
• Large Display: The 1.3-inch screen is super clear and readable.
• Off-course utility: Features like Garmin Pay and 24/7 heart rate monitoring.
• Build Quality: Ceramic bezel and Gorilla Glass make it incredibly durable.

Cons

• Screen Tech: The transflective display is great in sun but looks dull indoors.
• No internal music: You can control phone music, but can’t store songs.
• Price Point: Still sits at the premium end of the market.
• Size: Its 47mm casing may feel bulky on smaller wrists.
• Sleep tracking: My experience lacked accuracy 

Rating: 4.5/5

The Garmin Approach S62 is the quintessential ‘serious’ golfer’s watch.

It excels because it doesn’t try to be a mini-smartphone; instead, it tries to be a world-class GPS device that happens to have smart features.

The standout feature is the Virtual Caddie, which analyses your previous shots and current wind conditions to tell you exactly which club to pull.

For players who struggle with “hero shots” or misjudging distances, this is a game-changer.

Physically, it’s a tank.

The ceramic bezel is virtually scratch-proof, and the battery life is industry-leading, lasting up to 20 hours in GPS mode.

While the screen isn’t as vibrant as a modern AMOLED display, its ‘transflective’ technology means it actually gets clearer the brighter the sun shines—exactly what you want on a summer afternoon.

It’s a premium investment, but one that replaces your fitness tracker, your rangefinder, and your paper scorecard in one sleek, 61g package.

Garmin Approach S62 Golf GPS Watch review: full review

Opening the Garmin Approach S62 feels like unboxing a piece of professional equipment rather than a toy.

The packaging is compact and eco-friendly, mostly consisting of recyclable cardboard.

Inside, you get the watch itself, a proprietary Garmin charging cable, and the standard manual.

Initial thoughts? The design is sophisticated.

The ceramic bezel gives it a weighty, high-end feel without being cumbersome—it’s surprisingly light at 61g.

It doesn’t scream ‘I’m a golf gadget’, making it perfectly acceptable to wear with a suit or casual wear.

There are multiple options for the screen face, depending on what information you want without having to press any buttons, while you can also customise the various drop-down options to suit your needs.

Setting it up is a breeze via the Garmin Connect app: I was in a mad rush to the golf course and figured out how to use it on the 20-minute drive there.

Within five minutes, it had synced my profile and was downloading the 41,000+ pre-loaded courses.

Garmin Approach S62 Golf GPS Watch, £279.99 (was £329.99)

On the course, the S62 is remarkably intuitive.

You hit the ‘Action’ button, select ‘Play Golf’, and it usually finds the course within 30 seconds.

The touchscreen is responsive even with a glove on, though I found myself using the side buttons for quick shortcuts.

It provides yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green—along with a pin locator.

Users can double-tap on the map to get distances to hazards, bunkers, or stock yardage lay-ups.

The Virtual Caddie is the star of the show.

After you’ve logged five rounds, it starts suggesting clubs.

I was sceptical, but it’s surprisingly accurate—it knows I hit my 7-iron 155 yards, even if I think I hit it 170.

The ‘PlaysLike’ distance is also a life-saver on hilly courses, adjusting your yardage for uphill or downhill shots.

It feels like cheating, but it’s just giving you the expertise professionals get via their caddies on every shot.

You can reflect on every shot in the app afterwards with shot maps and detailed data to show you where you’re gaining and losing strokes.

Connectivity is rock solid.

I received text and call notifications throughout my rounds without any dropouts (although you can turn this off if it’s distracting).

Garmin Approach S62 Golf GPS Watch, £279.99 (was £329.99)

Compared to the older S60, the battery life is a revelation. I could play three rounds and still have 30% battery left.

My only gripe has nothing to do with the golf element, but more with its dual function as a fitness wearable. 

This might just be my own personal experience, but I found the watch did not track my sleep effectively.

The full length of my sleep always started when I got into bed and finished when I got up, with much of this time counting as ‘light sleep’ (compared to deep or REM), even though I knew I was wide awake for a significant period. 

Given I already know when I go to bed and when I get up, this was pretty redundant information for me.

The size of the watch could be uncomfortable for some while sleeping too. 

However, the ‘Body Battery’ feature is very useful, and beyond the golf, I was able to track runs and workouts in incredible detail in the Garmin Health app.

Garmin Approach S62 Golf GPS Watch review: the verdict

The Garmin Approach S62 is the most reliable golf watch I have ever tested.

It balances professional-grade data with the convenience of a modern smartwatch, making it the perfect choice for the dedicated golfer who wants to improve their course management.

While the sleep-tracking isn’t the most effective, its performance where it matters for golfers – battery life, GPS accuracy, and club suggestions – is second to none.

I would recommend this to anyone at any level.

This is a better buy than the newer S70 for the sheer value it offers in 2026.

FAQs

How much is the Garmin Approach S62?

Originally launched at £479.99, the Garmin Approach S62 now typically retails between £280 and £330 depending on the retailer.

At time of writing, the Garmin Approach S62 Golf GPS Watch is available at American Golf for just £279.99, meaning you can now save £50 on this device while stocks last.

Alternatives to the the Garmin Approach S62

• Garmin Approach S70: The successor to the S62, featuring a stunning AMOLED screen and better graphics, but at a much higher price point (approx. £500+).
• Shot Scope V5: A great value alternative that includes performance-tracking tags for your clubs in the box, though the interface isn’t as polished as Garmin’s.
• Bushnell iON Elite: A more affordable, golf-centric watch that focuses on simplicity and accurate yardages without the “lifestyle” smartwatch features.

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